An object of this invention is to provide a coding method and a coding apparatus for efficiently coding both a pixel value signal and a shape signal which are included in an image signal to be coded, wherein a prediction changing unit outputs a reference pixel value changing signal and a reference shape signal to a switching circuit which selects a reference pixel value signal and to a switching circuit which selects a reference shape signal, respectively, so as to control the switching circuit in a way that appropriate reference signals are to be selected.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image coding method for coding an input image signal including a shape signal indicating a shape of an object and a pixel value signal having information on color and brightness of said object, comprising: coding a pixel value signal included in an input image signal referring to a decoded pixel value signal obtained by decoding a pixel value signal which has been already coded; coding a shape signal included in said input image signal referring to a decoded shape signal obtained by decoding a shape signal which has been already coded; and generating a prediction selection signal having information indicating a reference method in a coding process in said pixel value signal coding and said shape signal coding; wherein said shape signal coding includes a comparison judgment wherein among a forward time decoded shape signal which is obtained from a shape signal which is located at a forward position on time series for a shape signal to be coded and a backward time decoded shape signal which is obtained from a shape signal which is located at a backward position on time series for said shape signal to be coded, said decoded shape signal closer to said shape signal to be coded is selected, and said decoded shape signal selected in said comparison judgment is used as a reference signal.
2. The image coding method of claim 1 , wherein in said shape signal coding, a forward time decoded shape signal or a backward time decoded shape signal is used as said decoded shape reference signal, said forward time decoded shape signal being obtained from a shape signal which is located at a forward position on time series for a shape signal to be coded, and said backward time decoded shape signal being obtained from a shape signal which is located at a backward position on time series for said shape signal to be coded.
3. The image coding method of claim 2 , wherein in said pixel value signal coding, at least one of a forward time decoded pixel value signal and a backward time decoded pixel value signal is used as said decoded pixel value reference signal, said forward time decoded pixel value signal being obtained from a pixel value signal which is located at a forward position on time series for a pixel value signal to be coded, and said backward time decoded pixel value signal being obtained from a pixel value signal which is located at a backward position on time series for said pixel value signal to be coded.
4. An image coding apparatus for coding an input image signal including a shape signal indicating a shape of an object and a pixel value signal having information on color and brightness of said object, comprising: means for coding a pixel value signal included in an input image signal referring to a decoded pixel value signal obtained by decoding a pixel value signal which has been already coded; means for coding a shape signal included in said input image signal referring to a decoded shape signal obtained by decoding a shape signal which has been already coded; and means for generating a prediction selection signal having information indicating a reference method in a coding process in said pixel value signal coding means and said shape signal coding means; wherein said shape signal coding means includes a comparison judgment means wherein among a forward time decoded shape signal which is obtained from a shape signal which is located at a forward position on time series for a shape signal to be coded and a backward time decoded shape signal which is obtained from a shape signal which is located at a backward position on time series for said shape signal to be coded, said decoded shape signal closer to said shape signal to be coded is selected, and said decoded shape signal selected in said comparison judgment means is used as a reference signal.
5. An image coding method for coding an input image signal including a shape signal indicating a shape of an object and a pixel value signal having information on color and brightness of said object, comprising: coding a pixel value signal included in said input image signal referring to a decoded pixel value signal obtained by decoding a pixel value signal which has been already coded; coding a shape signal included in said input image signal referring to a decoded shape signal obtained by decoding a shape signal which has been already coded; and generating a prediction selection signal having information indicating a reference method in a coding process in said pixel value signal coding and said shape signal coding; wherein in said shape signal coding, said reference method is specified by referring to a forward time or a backward time decoded shape signal, per each frame; and referring to the decoded shape signal which is referred per each frame or without referring, per each block.
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February 9, 2001
May 20, 2003
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